There were no punches being pulled by REIA president Adrian Kelly when he released a message to all parties concerned, when it came to tenants and keeping a roof over their head.

Mr Kelly addressed each group individually wanting to assure them of the work that was going on to make sure everyone came out of the Coronavirus pandemic, a winner.

To tenants who have lost or are facing losing their job Mr Kelly advised them of help available. 

"There is state and federal government assistance out there but when you have to wait on hold to Centrelink just to get your ID number, that’s frustrating. We get it," said Mr Kelly.

"I said last week that our industry wants to help you. That’s our role. Looking after tenants who have lost employment is nothing new to us.

"What is new is the scale of the problem, but we will help you get through this.

"You need to continue to pay your rent if you can afford to do so.

"If you don’t it creates a problem for you down the track and also creates problems for the owner of the property in which you live, many of whom have also lost their jobs and have families and children to feed. 

"If you can’t afford to pay your rent, we understand. Don’t bury your head in the sand and think that the problem will go away because it won’t.

"TALK TO US! We will sort something out for you. We encounter this scenario all the time.

"Yesterday the Prime Minister offered you a monetary lifeline. Talk to your employer and go and get it.

"There is your rental assistance and cash for other expenses right there. Go find it. 

Mr Kelly addressed state governments encouraging them to look for the soft landing.

"The real estate industry stands ready to assist as we always have," said Mr Kelly.

"This is our forte and we are ready to do whatever we need to do to make sure that our tenants and property owners suffer as little damage as possible.  

"Your governments need to step up and reach a unified position on this and that position must be to keep the cash flowing through the economy.

"We have all been offered a lifeline yesterday by the federal government in the form of wages assistance so that everyday Australians can continue to pay their bills including rent. 

"The rent cash flow ensures that everyone wins and I unashamedly include the real estate agent in that.

"We need income in order to continue to employ our property managers who are at the coal face of looking after both tenants and landlords. Leaving tenants and landlords to sort out their own mess will end in utter anarchy." 

Property owners were included in Mr Kelly's message. 

"We know that this is a stressful time for you, particularly for those of you that just like your tenant, have also lost employment," said Mr Kelly. 

"We are here for you as we always have been and we will help you and your tenant get through this. We are all in this together. 

"But, I have heard stories of some property owners, particularly those managing  their own properties trying to take advantage of the situation we find ourselves in.

"For those owners who do this, you are nothing short of greedy and pathetic. Just stop it and show some compassion."

Tenant lobby groups were told all groups needed to play their part, including them.

"You need to understand that our industry wants the same outcome as you; to keep everybody housed and feeling secure at this time, but we all need to play our part," said Mr Kelly.

"Simply calling for free rent for everybody just doesn’t cut it. You need to be more socially and financially responsible than that and perhaps once and for all finally understand that money doesn’t grow on trees.  

"Tenants who are still in employment need to continue to pay the rent and you need to be supportive of this because it is the right thing to do. 

"For those tenants who have lost employment or have had their hours reduced, let our industry work through those issues.

"You simply calling for everyone else to “suck it up” is utter nonsense given the mess that we are all in.

"You need to show some true leadership for all Australians because that is the only way that we will all get through this."

Mr Kelly also addressed real estate agents warning that there will be casualties. 

"Thank you for the leadership that you are showing during these trying times," said Mr Kelly.

"We will get through this but there will also be casualties. 

Above all else, please continue to look after your tenants, even including those who are trying to abuse the system.

"Now is not the time to be petty. We all need to step up and get on with it."

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